Saxophonist Steve Cole is one of the most celebrated players in contemporary jazz.

The Chicago native exploded onto the scene in 1998 with the album “Stay Awhile” that was produced by fellow Chicagoan Brian Culbertson. The disc scored two #1 hits and earned Cole the Oasis Smooth Jazz Award for best new artist shortly before his sophomore set, “Between Us,” was released in 2000. His catchy singles made him an instant radio favorite and he cranked them out with regularity on subsequent albums “NY LA” (2003), “Spin” (2005, “True” (2006), "Moonlight" (2009), and "True" (2013).

In addition to his work as solo artist, Steve has performed/recorded, with Junior Wells, Buddy Guy, Boz Scaggs, Larry Carlton, Jeff Lorber, Jim Peterik, Freddie Cole, Cyrus Chestnut, and KMFDM, and has been a featured soloist with the City of Prague Orchestra, and The Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Steve is also a founding member of The Sax Pack, a stellar sax trio completed by Marcus Anderson and Jeff Kashiwa.

Known for consistently cranking out chart-topping singles that deploy big vibrant pop hooks, contemporary jazz saxophonist Steve Cole conjures a sonic escapade with the hypnotic “Mirage,” the first single from his forthcoming eighth album, “Turn It Up,” which will be released July 15 by Artistry Music. Radio programmers were instantly spellbound, making the track from the David Mann-produced set of R&B grooves and soul-powered sojourns the No. 1 most added single on the Billboard BDS chart.

The entrancing single on which electronic beats bombard the senses before chill tenor and soprano sax leads and a soothing trumpet undercurrent take command of the illusion is one of nine new songs on the session, eight of which were composed or co-composed by Cole. The tune reflects his hometown roots and ardor for Chicago’s dance music scene. It’s one of three major cities that helped shape the collection.

“I embarked on ‘Turn It Up’ with the goal of making music with great musicians and great friends in great cities. This time around I wrote much of the music with Dave Mann in New York City. We recorded horns, guitars and vocals there as well. The energy in that great city was truly inspiring and it really is reflected in the music. Next stop was Minneapolis, where I worked with the great keyboardist and producer Ricky Peterson. Ricky and I wrote the song ‘Workhouse’ together, a track influenced by our love of Chicago house music. Dave joined us later in Minneapolis to record Ricky on the Hammond B3 organ as well as to record my Chicago pals, bassist Lamar Jones and drummer Khari Parker. I decided to track all of the saxophone parts in Minneapolis as well,” explained Cole, who has a slate of festival and club dates running into mid-October to help support the album release.

Cole and Mann have been collaborating ever since Cole’s sophomore record, “Between Us” (2000). In addition to helming the production on “Turn It Up,” multi-instrumentalist Mann often shadows Cole on alto and soprano sax to add depth, thickness, volume and intensity to the layers upon layers of horns – alto, tenor and soprano saxophones, trumpet, trombone and flute. Aside from the back-to-back dance music workouts that close the album, Cole’s energizing pop melodies and hooky harmonies on the disc are presented as soulful R&B joints. The saxman dusted off Bobby Womack’s “Woman’s Gotta Have It,” teamed up with fresh-faced keyboardist Nicholas Cole on “Turn It Up!” and yielded the spotlight on “Bright Side” to Pieces of a Dream’s James Lloyd, the author of the sunny mid-tempo smile, who solos on piano.

“In the end, I really accomplished what I set out to do,” Cole surmised. “The music reflects all of the diverse backgrounds and personalities that brought it to life. There was a lot of laughter and good times throughout this journey. I think that's why I've got such a big smile on my face on the album cover. After all, it's supposed to be fun...and it sure was!”

Cole’s 1998 award-winning arrival onto the contemporary jazz scene was the Brian Culbertson-produced “Stay Awhile” that spawned a pair of No. 1 singles. Solo tours and prominent sideman gigs with Culbertson, Boz Scaggs, Rick Braun, Peter White, Jeff Lorber and Larry Carlton served to rapidly multiply his fervent fan base exponentially while successive albums and singles repeatedly took Cole to the top of the charts, establishing him as a radio playlist favorite. In addition to his own recordings, Cole records and performs regularly as a member of Sax Pack, an all-star sax combo consisting of rotating members Jeff Kashiwa, Kim Waters, Jackiem Joyner and Marcus Anderson. For more information, please visit www.SteveCole.net.

The songs contained on “Turn It Up” are:

“Sidechain”“Turn It Up!”“Reverence”“She’s The One”“Bright Side”“Woman’s Gotta Have It”“Laws Of Attraction”“Life Is A Groove”“Workhouse”“Mirage”

Live at YOSHI'S in Oakland With Brian Simpson

Looking forward to a great show in Oakland, CA at Yoshi's with Brian Simpson on June 3rd. Get your tickets here...

http://www.yoshis.com/event/1463040-steve-cole-brian-simpson-oakland/

She's the One!!!

Nov, 15

The newest single from my new album TURN IT UP is climbing the charts!!!

Thanks for the #1

Sep, 01

Mirage, the first single from my new album TURN IT UP reached #1 on the Billboard radio chart!!!

New Album Out in July 2016

May, 25

I am so excited that my new album TURN IT UP will be released on July 15, 2016. Lot's of new music, and more opportunities to perform for you all LIVE!!!

New Tour Dates Posted for 2015

Dec, 19

Check out the TOUR section for new dates just posted in Charleston, NC; Boston, MA; with more come!!!

The Sax Pack Teams up with Marc Antoine for Select Shows in September 2014

Jun, 02

The Sax Pack feat. Steve Cole, Jeff Kashiwa, and Marcus Anderson team up with renown guitarist Marc Antoine for shows in Annapolis, MD at Ramshead On Stage on September19th, and Chicago, IL at The Montrose Room on September 20th.

Check the Tour Section for more information, and links to tickets!!!!

2014 Tour Dates!!!

Dec, 12

Las Vegas, NV 25-Jan-14

Bessemer, AL 28-Feb-14

Reading, PA 5-Apr-14

Austin, TX 6-Apr-14

Milford, CT 18-Apr-14

Albuquerque, NM 4-May-14

Elkhart Lake, WI 10-May-14

Chicago, IL 20-Sep-14

New Tour Dates Added

May, 30

Lot's of new tour dates added, including Augsburg, Germany, Bethesda, MD, and Chicago, IL. More to come, and dont forget...the new CD PULSE will be available in September.

Work on new album completed

Apr, 30

I can't believe it, but I've just finished my 7th solo album. This project will be released in late August by Mack Avenue/Artistry Records, and really goes back to my Funk, R&B, Blues, and Jazz roots!!!! I'm incredibly excited about this album, and can't wait for you all to hear it!!!

New Album In Production

Feb, 07

I've started working on a brand new album. Look for the release on Mack Avenue/Artistry this summer!!!!

8/9/09 Live in Long Beach, CA

8/6/09 Live at Sculler's in Boston

The Orchestral Tour

Jun, 25

We are currently securing tour dates in support of Steve's forthcoming CD - 'Moonlight' to be released on the Artistry Music imprint. The performances will feature Steve on tenor and soprano saxophones accompanied by a rhythm section and string section consisting of 10. To check availability, discuss routing and pricing please contact Steve Butler at All Mighty Music at 718-815-9447.

In The Studio

Jun, 23

Steve Cole is currently putting the finishing touches on his forthcoming CD entitled 'Moonlight.' The project features an acoustic rhythm section set amidst a lush orchestral backdrop. The entire project was recorded at Hinge Studios (Chicago) and is being mixed by Craig Bauer.